Biomimetic Retinal Tissue Engineering

Traditionally, experimental neuronal research is conducted on single cells after disruption of the tissue. A more pertinent approach to the complex CNS is to consider cells, extracellular matrix, and cell junctions as a tissue continuum through which mechanical and biochemical information is bidirectionally communicated. Our research is focused on retinal cell interactions in health and disease, and how these interactions can be modified by tissue engineering. We believe that perturbation of the tissue continuum is a common mechanism behind retinal degenerative disease, and we are currently exploring this hypothesis in a project called Retinal Biomechanics. In addition, we are investigating treatment related aspects in projects involving Synthetic Vitreous Substitution and Retinal Transplantation. To summarize, our research delineates tissue engineering projects in a wide translational spectrum aiming to understand and develop new treatments for blinding retinal disease.